Influential Stamford Democrat Ellen Camhi dead at 73

By KOREY WILSON Times Staff Writer

Published
12:45 pm EST, Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Gloria DePina, Elaine Mitchell and Ellen Camhi (far right) chat around a life-size Obama decoration at the Inaugural Gala Honoring Barack Obama and Jim Hims held at Continental Manor in Norwalk in this file photo from 2009.

Gloria DePina, Elaine Mitchell and Ellen Camhi (far right) chat around a life-size Obama decoration at the Inaugural Gala Honoring Barack Obama and Jim Hims held at Continental Manor in Norwalk in this file

Gloria DePina, Elaine Mitchell and Ellen Camhi (far right) chat around a life-size Obama decoration at the Inaugural Gala Honoring Barack Obama and Jim Hims held at Continental Manor in Norwalk in this file photo from 2009.

Gloria DePina, Elaine Mitchell and Ellen Camhi (far right) chat around a life-size Obama decoration at the Inaugural Gala Honoring Barack Obama and Jim Hims held at Continental Manor in Norwalk in this file

STAMFORD — Longtime Stamford politician Ellen Camhi died suddenly on Tuesday, according to friends and colleagues.

It is unclear what caused her death.

Camhi, 73, was the former chairwoman of Stamford Democratic Town Committee. Elected as chairwoman in 1983, Camhi led the Stamford DTC for 28 years before retiring in 2011.

In 2011, she was appointed to serve as a member of the State Board of Education. Prior to entering politics, Camhi taught elementary school in New York and Connecticut.

She began her political career in 1970, when she was selected by a group of community parents to run for the Stamford Board of Education. She served four terms on the Stamford Board of Education, including one term as its president.

Camhi was well known in Stamford for being was instrumental in the political careers of several high-profile politians including Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Attorney General George Jepsen, and Supreme Court justice Andrew McDonald.

“Ellen Camhi was a dear friend of mine who tirelessly dedicated herself to her community and to public service. She had charisma and was a passionate leader with character and vision,” said Malloy in a news release. “Her impact was profound - she served as a mentor to me and inspired my career in public service ... along with countless others. There’s no doubt that she will be missed by many. Cathy and I send our heartfelt condolences to her family and all of her friends in the Stamford community.”

“Ellen Camhi was a relentlessly dedicated public servant, a trusted advisor to countless of us in public office, and a wonderful, dear friend. She was always there, endlessly generous to her community and friends,” said Blumenthal in a statement.

“Ellen was always a lot of fun but she was also a true leader,” Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said. “What I really admired about her was that she spoke up for what she believed in and she truly cared about people — especially her family.”